The Best Ocean-View Restaurants in Los Angeles

Take in the beauty and bounty of the West Coast at these Los Angeles restaurants with the best ocean views.

August 10, 2022

Malibu Farm, Malibu

It’s hard to imagine a better place to eat organic, local California cuisine than Malibu Farm. With a restaurant and a cafe on either side of the pier, Malibu Farm offers two options in one scenic setting. The restaurant, on the beach side of the pier, serves healthy fare for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch. Over the sea, at the pier’s end, Malibu Farm Pier Cafe serves lighter breakfast and lunch options, including quinoa oatmeal, farm-fresh scrambled eggs and kale Caesar salads.

Photography courtesy of Malibu Farm

Editor’s note: This guide was originally published in October 2016 and has been updated with the latest information on these restaurants.

Go to: Malibu Farm

Terrazza Lounge, Santa Monica

Located inside Santa Monica’s Casa del Mar hotel, Terrazza is a bastion of seaside salumi, serving enough prosciutto, pecorino and Grana Padano to seemingly transport diners to the Italian Riviera. The menu swerves back stateside with the well-rounded craft beer list and all-American brunch options like house-cured wagyu brisket hash and buttermilk waffles.

Photography by Lisa Romerein courtesy of Hotel Casa Del Mar

Go to: Terrazza Lounge

The Strand House, Manhattan Beach

For a palm-fringed pierside pick, head to The Strand House across from the Manhattan Beach pier. In addition to contemporary Californian fare, the restaurant offers elevated takes on comfort classics, including wood-fired Brussels sprouts, pizza and glazed doughnuts. In addition to a beach-friendly cocktail menu, The Strand has a wine list full of formidable selections from around the globe. All are best enjoyed while overlooking the bright, sandy beach.

Photography courtesy of The Strand House

Go to: The Strand House

Nobu, Malibu

Celebrities and sushi come together at Malibu legend Nobu. The luxurious seaside haunt is beloved by rappers, actresses and power players alike, and has priceless views to satisfy the elite clientele. Some menu highlights include sashimi tacos, roasted king crab with uni, and yellowtail sashimi with jalapeno. The black cod miso is another star.

Photography by Henry Hargreaves courtesy of Nobu

Go to: Nobu Malibu

Whiskey Red’s, Marina Del Rey

As its name suggests, Whiskey Red’s is a choice spot for sampling whiskey while enjoying a great view of the Marina del Rey’s calm waters. Grab a seat outside next to a fire pit to watch the sunset while sampling one of the infused seasonal whiskeys, like summer peach. If that doesn’t satisfy your whiskey tooth, order the Tasty Burger or the Crispy Mahi Mahi Tacos.

Photography courtesy of Whiskey Red's

Go to: Whiskey Red's

Venice Whaler, Venice Beach

Despite its prime spot next to the bustling Venice Fishing Pier, Venice Whaler is a laid-back, seemingly hidden gem. The upstairs deck has great views of the beach happenings, which are best observed with a cocktail in hand. The food menu covers a broad swath, including California classics like fish tacos and avocado toast (which you can also get with burrata), and pier-perfect fried fare, including fish and chips. Brunch is particularly popular, and many walk off their chilaquiles with a stroll over to Muscle Beach.

Photography courtesy of Venice Whaler

Go to: Venice Whaler

The Penthouse, Santa Monica

Most of LA’s best ocean-view spots are at sea level, but The Penthouse restaurant in Santa Monica is a step — actually 18 stories — above the competition. The restaurant perches high atop the city on the penthouse level of the Huntley Hotel. Elegant and modern, The Penthouse lives up to its name with beautifully crafted food and 360-degree views of the ocean and the Los Angeles skyline.

Photography courtesy of The Huntley Hotel

Go to: The Penthouse

Geoffrey’s Malibu, Malibu

Geoffrey’s Malibu is an approachable fine-dining destination with incredible sweeping views of the vast blue water. Located just off the Pacific Coast Highway, the Malibu restaurant arranges tables under outdoor patio umbrellas, which are the best seats in the house. Brunch service goes beyond basic with decadent orders of challah French toast, shiitake omelets and lobster quiche. The establishment dates back to 1948 and has hosted Old Hollywood royalty, including Frank Sinatra and Marilyn Monroe.

Photography courtesy of Geoffrey's Malibu

Geoffrey's Malibu: Geoffrey's Malibu

The Lobster, Santa Monica

At The Lobster, not only is the ocean in full view, but so is all of the fun on the Santa Monica Pier. Families will love the hearty seafood dishes, pasta and sandwiches as well as the giant Ferris wheel backdrop. This historic restaurant is a perfect place to refuel after a family excursion to the pier. Things may have changed quite a bit since dishwasher Mateo Castillo worked his way up to owning The Lobster in 1950, but diners can still count on massive hunks of the namesake lobster and a postcard-worthy view.

Photography courtesy of The Lobster

Go to: The Lobster

1 Pico, Santa Monica

Housed in the 5-star hotel Shutters on the Beach, 1 Pico is a beachside restaurant that draws diners beyond hotel guests with its sandy views and artful dishes. Like any good beach spot, 1 Pico serves an array of seafood in addition to other upscale internationally inspired plates like Lobster Benedict and Spaghetti Carbonera. Toast to good health with a cold-pressed juice or specialty cocktail.

Photography courtesy of Shutters on the Beach

Go to: 1 Pico

Mar’sel, Rancho Palos Verdes

Terranea Resort offers an oceanside escape that feels worlds away, and rightfully so; the sprawling 102-acre property sits removed from the chaos of Los Angeles in leafy, tranquil Palos Verdes. Terranea even maintains an herb garden yielding fresh ingredients for Mar’sel, the resort’s California-cuisine restaurant that overlooks a perfectly manicured lawn and the endless blue horizon of the Pacific Ocean. Perk up the patio dining with burrata and caviar, paired with a selection from the French and Californian wine list.

Photography courtesy of Terranea Resort

Go to: Mar'sel

Playa Provisions, Playa del Rey

Playa Provisions may be the most-fun ocean-view spot on our list. With multiple concepts under one roof, the Playa del Rey hot spot can cure your caffeine craving, impress whiskey connoisseurs and keep kids entertained with craft ice cream at its various spaces: King Beach, Grain, Dockside and Small Batch. Even without its beachside location, this place would be an ideal place to spend a beautiful day.

Photography courtesy of Playa Provisions

Go to: Playa Provisions

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